128 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 
favourite food is fish and crustaceans, and suitable places could be se- 
lected where these could be procured in abundance. 
Prime otter skins from eastern Canada, where the fur is at its 
best, are quoted in the January 1908, Fur Trade Review at $15 to $20. 
BEAVER 
In spite of more than three hundred years of persistent trapping a 
few beaver remain scattered here and there over a large part of the 
United States and Canada, probably enough, could they be adequately 
protected, to restock most of the streams. In many sections they are 
protected locally and are becoming abundant again. 
If unmolested for a few years they lose their fear of man, work 
on their dams and houses in the day time and become comparatively 
tame. With such an animal further domestication seems unnecessary. 
Given a suitable pond or stream they find abundance of food and are 
able to care for themselves in every way. They can be fenced in as 
readily as a flock of sheep and their enemies, except man, can be fenced 
out. Thousands of miles of forest marsh and stream, fit for no other 
purpose are lying idle and could be used to advantage as beaver farms. 
Prime beaver skins from the northern United States and Canada 
are quoted in the January, 1908, Fur Trade Review at $5 to $8. 
By selecting breeding stock from the region where the fur is the 
best and keeping only the choice individuals for breeding purposes, it 
would doubtless be possible to steadily improve the standard and value 
of the beaver fur. 
MARTEN 
The marten or American sable is a forest animal of the Boreal 
zone. It comes into the United States along the Northern border and 
extends south in mountainous sections as far as New York, New Mex- 
ico, and cential California. It is a beautiful, soft-furred little animal 
the size of a mink, but of much brighter appearance. It generally 
inhabits coniferous forests, is an expert climber, but avoids the water. 
Its food is mainly squirrels, rabbits, mice, birds, and such small game. 
In the wild state it has the savage disposition of its family, but in 
captivity is quiet and gentle. 
The most valuable marten skins come from Labrador and eastern 
Canada and are variously quoted at $20 to $40. 
MINK 
The mink is one of the most widely distributed fur bearers of 
North America and one of the few species able to hold its own against 
